Why in News?
The Khet Bachao Abhiyan (Save Farm Campaign) is in the news because Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a nationwide campaign from June 1–15, 2026, to promote balanced fertilizer use, soil health, and sustainable farming practices across India. The campaign has already reached 2.71 crore citizens and sensitized 7.17 lakh farmers through over 12,979 awareness camps.
Core Objectives
- Balanced Fertilizer Use: Educating farmers to shift away from excessive, unscientific application of chemical fertilizers like Urea and DAP.
- Soil Health Conservation: Encouraging soil test-based nutrient management to sustain the long-term biological quality of agricultural land.
- Reducing Input Costs: Helping small and marginal farmers save money by optimizing fertilizer usage and utilizing indigenous resources.
- Crackdown on Malpractices: Initiating strict, large-scale legal action against counterfeit pesticides, fake fertilizers, and substandard seeds.
Execution and On-Ground Statistics
- Scientist-Led Guidance: ICAR has mobilized 1,657 specialized teams of scientists to train farmers directly at the village level.
- Awareness Camps: Over 12,979 localized camps and seminars have been organized across states to establish direct communication with stakeholders.
- Field Demonstrations: Experts successfully executed 7,928 live field demonstrations teaching practical techniques like green manuring, bio-fertilizers, and organic nutrient management.
- Training Modules: To build internal farming capacity, 3,145 structured training programs were attended by more than 1.11 lakh participants.
Stakeholder & Grassroots Engagement
- Local Governance: The Ministry conducted 4,916 Janpratinidhi Sammelans to loop in Panchayat representatives, Sarpanches, and Zila Parishad members to institutionalize the message.
- Supply Chain Alignment: Over 9,609 dialogue sessions were completed with fertilizer and agri-input dealers to make sure they advise farmers on rational purchasing.
- Farmer Collectives: The campaign integrated 8,383 farmer-members by leveraging local Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs).
Mass Media Blitz
- Physical Visibility: Informational materials, posters, and banners have been deployed across 53,616 distinct public locations nationwide.
- Broadcast Coverage: The message of sustainable farming was amplified through 1,144 dedicated broadcasts, consisting of 944 radio talks and 200 television or digital programs.
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